Comments on: The New York Rangers are basically Big Brotherhttps://nhl.nbcsports.com/2011/10/27/the-new-york-rangers-are-basically-big-brother/
ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports.comThu, 24 May 2018 18:48:08 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: gigaview360https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2011/10/27/the-new-york-rangers-are-basically-big-brother/comment-page-1/#comment-19029
Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:48:40 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=52750#comment-19029Jason, there is nothing more nefarious about what the Rangers are doing with GigaPixel FanCam than what NBC Sports does with every broadcast. Random images of the crowd at random moments appear on every televised event and most published sports photos. Fans all acknowledge and accept the fact their image may appear in all of these places and have no expectation of privacy when attending a major sporting event. Most, in fact, love the random moment when the cameras point their way. What is so “Big Brother” or threatening to civil liberties about taking a group photo where everyone is willingly & happily participating? Annoucements are typically made, emails sent, and twitter feeds tweeting. The shy could always just turn away or head to the concession stands for a few minutes.

Not sure if you’re headline had the effect you were looking for, but if you’re research were a bit more thorough, you would have found that “They” did not have the gigapixel photo taken in Vancouver. It was taken by Vancouver independent photographer Ronnie Miranda (GigaPixel.com) and acheived legimate viral status with millions of interested parties. Had you researched more thoroughly, you might have found that “They” did have gigapixel photographers on assignment at every MLB World Series Game for the last two seasons. “They” also have had GigaPixel FanCam at a number of college and NFL football games this season, as well as major rock concerts, like U2’s 360 Tour. As far as I can tell, out of the millions upon millions of fans and their friends that have been exposed to this technology, this article is the only mention of privacy concerns.

Fans love the FanCam. It connects them together post-event in an entirely new way. They participate (by tagging THEMSELVES) in numbers unheard of in most marketing campaigns. They happily share their image with EVERYBODY they know via Facebook and Twitter. Sponsors can reliably expect incredible exposure to their message from the moment the image goes live and for weeks, months, & years after the event.

The NY Rangers should be congratulated on becoming an early adopter of this new media (that actually is new). The benefits of gigapixel photography for all stakeholders (fans, friends, teams, sponsors) are real and tangible. It is becoming the new standard at live events where we expect to have our photo taken anyway.

Full-disclosure: as a gigapixel photographer and new media evangelist myself, I am clearly biased on this subject. I shoot similar gigapixel images of political rallies, protests, sporting events, or concerts (in fact where ever large numbers of people gather) and edit them before publication. I keep my subject’s honor & civil liberties in the forefront of my editorial decisions, but there is no legal expectation of privacy in public spaces in this country. I doubt conventional media takes as much care.